June 07, 2017

Katsushika Hokusai and his astonishing artistry

No matter what you might be doing today, I suggest you take out 50 seconds of your time and watch the video of the great Japanese master Katsushika Hokusai’s works. Hokusai (1760-1849), who remains most famous for his masterpiece ‘The Great Wave off Kanagawa’, produced an enchanting body of work until the ripe old age of 90. He also famously said, “If Heaven had only granted me five more years, I could have become a real painter.”

The British Museum in London is currently hosting an exhibition of the master through August 13. At a time when London has been wounded, this exhibition could offer some balm. If I were in London, I would spend considerable time viewing the paintings. ‘The Great Wave’ is one of the 46 prints by Hokusai as part of his much celebrated 36 views of Mount Fuji series.

‘The Great Wave off Kanagawa--Katsushika Hokusai

Hokusai was a true artistic genius whose range was astonishingly wide. I cite here just one other work here to illustrate my point. Consider the ink on paper ‘Deer’ below. Look at the brilliant deft strokes that bring alive the deer from behind. A fleeting glance made me feel as if I was looking at a cherry blossom tree. Some 561 works by the master can be seen here at Google Arts & Culture.

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Katsushika Hokusai and his astonishing artistry

No matter what you might be doing today, I suggest you take out 50 seconds of your time and watch the video of the great Japanese master Katsushika Hokusai’s works. Hokusai (1760-1849), who remains most famous for his masterpiece ‘The Great Wave off Kanagawa’, produced an enchanting body of work until the ripe old age of 90. He also famously said, “If Heaven had only granted me five more years, I could have become a real painter.”

The British Museum in London is currently hosting an exhibition of the master through August 13. At a time when London has been wounded, this exhibition could offer some balm. If I were in London, I would spend considerable time viewing the paintings. ‘The Great Wave’ is one of the 46 prints by Hokusai as part of his much celebrated 36 views of Mount Fuji series.

‘The Great Wave off Kanagawa--Katsushika Hokusai

Hokusai was a true artistic genius whose range was astonishingly wide. I cite here just one other work here to illustrate my point. Consider the ink on paper ‘Deer’ below. Look at the brilliant deft strokes that bring alive the deer from behind. A fleeting glance made me feel as if I was looking at a cherry blossom tree. Some 561 works by the master can be seen here at Google Arts & Culture.